Liberal Zionism is the only version that keeps Israel Jewish, democratic, secure, and accepted. Rahm Emanuel came to Tel Aviv to defend it and got called a traitor for trying.
A great report on a critically important viewpoint. I take issue with only one point: I believe boycotts and condemnations of Israel will steadily diminish if Israel forswears permanent control of the West Bank and Gaza and limits her activities there to security monitoring. If the daily drumbeat of incidents continues, things will only get worse.
It’s already been tried, that’s literally what Sharon’s disengagement was all about. It did precious nothing to quell anti-Israel sentiment, while Palestinian Arab radicals perceived it’s as weakness and lack of political will which they followed up with more terror.
It's seems to me that Netanyahu squelched the last intifada with physical barriers. I also believe the Oct. 7th attack would have been suppressed immediately if the barrier was more substantial and IDF units were not diverted to the West Bank.
A policy of fortified frontiers can drastically reduce the killing, even if it doesn't bring peace. It wouldn't require Palestinian approval, and no one would have to concede anything. I call it "Korea II."
It can only work, however, if Israel commits to staying on its side of the line.
Emanuel’s message was DOA, pairing tangible punishments with an entirely unattainable peace. Worse, he mostly ignored the radical antizionism at the very root of the conflict. It’s unlikely to become the baseline for anyone who cares about this issue seriously.
I agree in general, I just think he also came across as lecturing moral superiority and bringing out just a new iteration of the same plan from the 90s.
I fear that Hamas and Iran have already won their battle to isolate Israel from its allies, and that Israel will not easily recover from this, if it ever can. Netanyahu played right into their game. He was also the one who helped enable Hamas once Gaza elected them as their leaders, thinking he could use and contain them.
I haven't formulated my own opinion on this but have been digesting different commentaries. Yours likely ends up where I land as I think you're being both fair and real about what he said and didn't say.
And meanwhile (credit Haaretz), vicious Israeli hostage taking and abuse continues. Israel can no longer get out of its own way when it comes to destroying its international reputation.
Thank Goodness for the many Jews of conscience.
Held without charge = hostage
Israel ‘fails to address’ concerns that detained Gaza doctor’s life is in danger
For nearly two years now, Israel has been holding Gaza hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya without charge. About a month ago, after Abu Safiya appealed the extension of his detention, the conditions of his imprisonment had significantly worsened: He was placed in solitary confinement and later transferred to an underground wing of a maximum-security unit.
On Wednesday, Physicians for Human Rights–Israel (PHRI) told the High Court of Justice that Israel's response to allegations concerning Abu Safiya's imprisonment and condition "fails to address the serious concerns" about his health. This came after the High Court ordered the state to reply to a petition filed by the NGO seeking Abu Safiya's release, along with 13 other Palestinian doctors who Israel has been detaining under its Unlawful Combatants Law.
The petition, based largely on an affidavit filed by Abu Safiya's lawyer after he had visited him last week, raised concerns that his life is in immediate danger – a claim the state has denied, saying Abu Safiya had undergone numerous medical examinations since he was transferred.
According to PHRI, the state did not explain why the examinations were required, what their findings were, or how they were consistent with its claim that Abu Safiya's life was not in danger.
Prominent U.S. Democratic lawmakers, among them Senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen, also called on Israel to release Abu Safiya, urging the Trump administration to halt aid to Israel so long as it does not.
I don’t always agree with Emanuel, but he is passionate, brave, and thoughtful. Hopefully giving this speech in Israel means more Israelis hear it.
When Emanuel starts overtly running for President, he’ll have to overcome progressives who are leery about him on policing and education as well as being too close to Israel. I would pick the field over everyone right now, but I think Emanuel will be important because he articulates positions and being he is so active everywhere and unafraid of speaking anywhere.
There is no such thing as a liberal Zionist, it's like saying your an ethical serial killer
Definitely a very different description of Emanuel's speech than i have read in other sources (most of which made him sound like Mamdani lite)
A great report on a critically important viewpoint. I take issue with only one point: I believe boycotts and condemnations of Israel will steadily diminish if Israel forswears permanent control of the West Bank and Gaza and limits her activities there to security monitoring. If the daily drumbeat of incidents continues, things will only get worse.
I don’t think it’ll make a difference.
It’s already been tried, that’s literally what Sharon’s disengagement was all about. It did precious nothing to quell anti-Israel sentiment, while Palestinian Arab radicals perceived it’s as weakness and lack of political will which they followed up with more terror.
It's seems to me that Netanyahu squelched the last intifada with physical barriers. I also believe the Oct. 7th attack would have been suppressed immediately if the barrier was more substantial and IDF units were not diverted to the West Bank.
A policy of fortified frontiers can drastically reduce the killing, even if it doesn't bring peace. It wouldn't require Palestinian approval, and no one would have to concede anything. I call it "Korea II."
It can only work, however, if Israel commits to staying on its side of the line.
Emanuel’s message was DOA, pairing tangible punishments with an entirely unattainable peace. Worse, he mostly ignored the radical antizionism at the very root of the conflict. It’s unlikely to become the baseline for anyone who cares about this issue seriously.
I agree in general, I just think he also came across as lecturing moral superiority and bringing out just a new iteration of the same plan from the 90s.
This was excellent. Thank you.
I fear that Hamas and Iran have already won their battle to isolate Israel from its allies, and that Israel will not easily recover from this, if it ever can. Netanyahu played right into their game. He was also the one who helped enable Hamas once Gaza elected them as their leaders, thinking he could use and contain them.
Great piece Eli.
I haven't formulated my own opinion on this but have been digesting different commentaries. Yours likely ends up where I land as I think you're being both fair and real about what he said and didn't say.
And meanwhile (credit Haaretz), vicious Israeli hostage taking and abuse continues. Israel can no longer get out of its own way when it comes to destroying its international reputation.
Thank Goodness for the many Jews of conscience.
Held without charge = hostage
Israel ‘fails to address’ concerns that detained Gaza doctor’s life is in danger
For nearly two years now, Israel has been holding Gaza hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya without charge. About a month ago, after Abu Safiya appealed the extension of his detention, the conditions of his imprisonment had significantly worsened: He was placed in solitary confinement and later transferred to an underground wing of a maximum-security unit.
On Wednesday, Physicians for Human Rights–Israel (PHRI) told the High Court of Justice that Israel's response to allegations concerning Abu Safiya's imprisonment and condition "fails to address the serious concerns" about his health. This came after the High Court ordered the state to reply to a petition filed by the NGO seeking Abu Safiya's release, along with 13 other Palestinian doctors who Israel has been detaining under its Unlawful Combatants Law.
The petition, based largely on an affidavit filed by Abu Safiya's lawyer after he had visited him last week, raised concerns that his life is in immediate danger – a claim the state has denied, saying Abu Safiya had undergone numerous medical examinations since he was transferred.
According to PHRI, the state did not explain why the examinations were required, what their findings were, or how they were consistent with its claim that Abu Safiya's life was not in danger.
Prominent U.S. Democratic lawmakers, among them Senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen, also called on Israel to release Abu Safiya, urging the Trump administration to halt aid to Israel so long as it does not.
This is the high ranking Hamas militant that ran the hospital, ya?
Rahm Emanuel is a perennial opportunist.
https://substack.com/@thinktorah/note/c-291382818
Israel is guilty of genocide they need to be subject to devastating and far ranging sanctions for their crimes
"Online, the sharpest critics said Emanuel doesn’t share Israel’s fate, that he lectures from afar,"
Which is beside the point.
He's a sympathetic American telling Israel was the deal is.
Your perspective.
From what I can see, he was telling Israeli Jews like it is:
The love affair is over. Start acting like the sovereign state you say you are.
I don’t always agree with Emanuel, but he is passionate, brave, and thoughtful. Hopefully giving this speech in Israel means more Israelis hear it.
When Emanuel starts overtly running for President, he’ll have to overcome progressives who are leery about him on policing and education as well as being too close to Israel. I would pick the field over everyone right now, but I think Emanuel will be important because he articulates positions and being he is so active everywhere and unafraid of speaking anywhere.
He may need all his courage and self-righteous energy to fend off the extremists in his party. They appear to be the ones bringing the energy.